Introduction
On a scorching day, nothing beats a glass of crystal-clear water. Unfortunately, black sediment can ruin the experience. When this occurs, you may question the origin of the dark particles, their drinkability, and how to remove them.
This guide will identify the eight most typical causes of black sediment in well water. Additionally, we’ll provide our top tried-and-true techniques for eliminating the black particles from your drinking water.
Top 8 Causes of Black Sediment in Well Water
Mineral Deposits
The presence of minerals like iron and manganese can cause dark stains on your plumbing, fixtures, and appliances. This can result in your water having a black or brown tint, making it appear as if there is black sediment present.
Iron and manganese are naturally occurring minerals found in rocks and the earth. While they are essential for human health, excessive amounts of both minerals can cause your water to have a metallic taste and leave unattractive residue on surfaces.
Additionally, calcium is another mineral that can contribute to dark staining in water, especially when combined with iron or manganese.
Calcium is a primary contributor to water hardness, which can leave chalky gray deposits, commonly referred to as scale.
While calcium is crucial for human health, it can have adverse effects on your home’s fixtures and surfaces.
Mud or Soil
If you have a well located near muddy regions or rivers, there’s a high chance that soil or mud can be found at the bottom of its aquifer. These particles can naturally seep into your well water, contaminating it with impurities.
Additionally, the position of your well pump could play a role in the presence of mud or soil in your water supply. If the pump is located too close to the bottom of the aquifer, it could draw in these particles and cause the water to become muddy.
While soil and mud are not typically harmful to drink, they can make your water appear murky, black, or brown, which may not be desirable.
As a result, it’s important to ensure that your well pump is installed at a safe distance from the aquifer’s bottom to prevent the drawing in of soil or mud particles.
Regular maintenance and testing of your well water can also help to identify and address any potential contamination issues.
Particles of Sand or Silt
Particles such as sand and silt can vary in color from light brown to black. They typically become dislodged from dirt and rocks as water flows and eventually settle at the bottom of your well.
If your well has a powerful pump or if the pump is situated too close to the aquifer’s bottom, you are more likely to encounter black sand or silt in your water.
While sand and silt in your tap water are generally not harmful, they can have negative effects on water quality, plumbing performance, and texture, making it less appealing.
Biomass
Organic matter is a substance that can settle at the bottom of your well, which can cause black material to mix into the water as insects and decomposing plant matter break down over time.
This organic debris can also lead to the development of stringy buildup inside the well pump basket, giving your water a foul, earthy smell.
If the black sediment in well water is caused by organic matter, the problem is likely to worsen over time, eventually clogging the well pump or the water supply line to your house.
A Recently Drilled Well
If you have recently installed a new well, it’s common for silt, sand, and clay particles to enter your water supply. The drilling process usually stirs up minerals and silt in the subsurface, which gets drawn into the well water system.
However, this issue is expected to be short-lived and should last only for a few weeks. You may notice sediment or dark material in your water until the earth around the well has had time to settle.
A damaged well
Water that is muddy or has a high sediment content is often caused by an old well that has been damaged or collapsed.
This can happen when the well casing or screen becomes damaged or collapses due to factors such as heavy rain, earthquakes, or natural wear and tear over time.
To determine if your well has deteriorated, it is recommended to contact a local well contractor who can inspect your well and look for signs of damage.
If it is found that your well has collapsed, it is important to take immediate action and arrange for repairs to be made as soon as possible.
Sewage
Water with a black tint is likely caused by sewage contamination and human waste, which is among the least desirable reasons.
A well located near an agricultural area or a septic system is particularly vulnerable to sewage pollution, including human waste.
A defective or obstructed septic system can cause animal or human waste to leak into the soil surrounding your well.
Since both types of waste harbor harmful microorganisms, it is crucial to address any issues with your septic system promptly, which can cause muddy water.
Elastomeric material from appliances
Finally, the dark specks present in your well water could be coming from your plumbing system or household appliances rather than the water source itself.
Over time, rubber pipes connected to your hot water heater may degrade and release black particles into your water supply.
Additionally, some appliances may use rubber components such as hoses, seals, or gaskets that can deteriorate and contaminate the water.
Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent the degradation of rubber in your appliances such as rubber pipes and water heaters, aside from replacing the affected parts or appliances altogether.
Discovering the Root Cause of Black Sediment in Your Water
If you are experiencing black sediment in well water and would like to identify the cause, there are two options available to you. The first is to conduct a water test, and the second is to have your well inspected.
Employ water testing
The black substance in your water is most likely a specific particle or pollutant, and in order to treat it, you need to know what it contains.
We recommend getting a comprehensive well water test that covers a range of potential well water pollutants, such as the test kits offered by Easy Lab Tap Score. Speculating about the cause of your black water won’t be of much help.
In this situation, it is better to conduct a private laboratory test rather than a home test. Laboratory testing is more thorough and accurate, allowing you to determine the precise reason or multiple reasons for black specks in your water.
Even if you haven’t noticed any obvious changes in the quality of your water, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises testing your well water at least once a year to ensure its safety.
Have your well-examined and inspected
If your tap water testing fails to identify any clear causes of dark particles, the next step is to have your well examined. If you suspect that your well may be damaged, it is advisable to have it inspected immediately.
A well contractor can insert a camera into your well to inspect the well casing, pump, and screen. The inspector can provide recommendations on how to address any damage or deterioration detected or suggest prompt treatment if needed.
Methods for Eliminating Black Sediment in Well Water
Thankfully, getting rid of black sediment in well water can be straightforward once you have identified the underlying cause. In this guide, we have outlined some of the most efficient methods for eliminating black particles from your water supply.
Repair Your Well
To solve the black sediment problem in well water, you must first tackle any issues with your well system.
For instance, if your well pump is too powerful or too close to the well base, a well contractor can adjust it by raising it or reducing its power to prevent it from sucking sand or mud from the bottom of the aquifer.
In case of a worn-out or damaged well screen, replacing it can fix the issue.
However, if your well was not drilled correctly or if a part of the well has collapsed, you may need more extensive repairs, such as re-drilling the well or replacing it with a new system.
Repair your septic system or substitute old rubber hoses
Your priority should be to address any issues with your septic system if it is the root cause of contaminated water.
Refrain from using your well water until laboratory tests show that it is free of harmful microorganisms, and engage a qualified professional to pump and thoroughly clean the septic tank.
In order to prevent a recurrence of this issue, replace any aging rubber hoses or water pipes that are introducing black particles into your water supply.
Utilize a Particle or Sediment Filter
Using a sediment filter is an effective way to combat the presence of sand, silt, dirt, and concentrated rust, all of which are common causes of black-tinted drinking water.
Sediment filters can be installed downstream of your well pressure tank to filter your water before it enters your home’s plumbing system.
While some filters are standalone units, others act as pre-filters for larger water systems.
Well-water sediment filters can trap contaminants as water flows through them, typically in a media or dirt chamber.
Some sediment filters have a valve that can be opened to release trapped dirt and prolong the filter’s lifespan.
A sediment filter is capable of effectively removing most large particles in water, thus solving the issue of black sediments in your water.
Set up a rust remover
An effective solution to combat black sediment in well water caused by iron oxide in your well water is the installation of an iron filter device.
Among the various types of iron filters, air injection oxidation (AIO) systems are considered the most effective for well water treatment.
These devices inject air to oxidize iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide in the well water, trapping them in a media bed before releasing clear, clean water.
AIO systems are capable of removing up to 10 PPM of iron and manganese and 5 PPM of hydrogen sulfide from well water.
Utilize a water conditioner or water softener
If high levels of calcium and other minerals are causing black water, then the solution is to install a water softener.
Water softeners utilize ion exchange technology to substitute small amounts of sodium for calcium and magnesium.
By removing water hardness, installing a water softener can significantly alleviate black water problems.
Additionally, a water softener can also eliminate traces of iron.
Although calcium is an essential nutrient, it is present in much higher concentrations in many foods, so removing it from water is not a cause for concern.
Alternative Choices
Pre-treatment filters are effective at removing large particles, while carbon and water softeners are capable of removing minerals, VOCs, and organic pollutants. Oxidation filters are also capable of removing minerals present in hard water through an oxidation process that traps them in a filter media.
Although oxidation filters achieve the same result as other water treatment system or systems discussed in this article, they do so in a unique manner.
It is important to note that oxidation filters and water softeners require regular flushing with salt brine to maintain their effectiveness, whereas some 3-stage filter systems use disposable single-use filters that need to be replaced periodically.
Although this may seem like an inconvenience at first, it is important to keep in mind that the cost of purchasing expensive filters every few months can add up quickly.
How Manganese Affects Your Health?
Whatever it could be, the possibility that it contains manganese warrants immediate attention.
The body needs manganese to carry out a number of different processes. It contributes to the production of hormones, the formation of bones and connective tissues including tendons and ligaments, and the overall health of the neurological system.
The central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system are meant by the term “nervous system as a whole.” It consists of your spinal cords, brain, and all of your nerves. You and your “I” sense.
Very little manganese is required by your body each day for healthy functioning. A 12 teaspoon of salt weighs 1,300 milligrams, for context. Even 11 mg of manganese, according to medical and nutritional professionals, is dangerous.
Many health problems, including stunted development, problems with reproduction, memory loss, and decreased motor abilities, are brought on by an excess of manganese.
You may experience symptoms that match those of the terminal illness Parkinson’s since they can be persistent and irreversible.
Key Takeaway
A private well’s black sediments are frequently brought on by minerals, silt, organic particles, sewage, or problems with the well’s design. The use of appropriate water treatment methods and well repairs should solve any problems with black well water.